MONTEVIDEO – Uruguay’s foreign minister hailed the fruits of his country’s cooperation with China in Antarctica during a visit Friday to Beijing’s sprawling base in the White Continent.

Under an accord signed by Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez during a state visit to China in October, the two nations have established a mechanism for the exchange of personnel and scientific knowledge in Antarctica to study climate and climate change.

“It seems to me that that relationship with China advances very well. I believe that in addition to the good relations that exist and the proximity between the bases, we could also continue deepening our relations,” Rodolfo Nin Novoa said at the Great Wall base on King George Island, not far from Uruguay’s Artigas research station.

“We are studying the impact of climate change,” he said. “This work help us to raise awareness around the world about human responsibility in climate change.”